Broken Screw on Repro Spencer rifle?

[Sean Thornton]

At the Danville reenactment this past weekend I used my Spencer Rifle with my .56-50 blanks and the blanks worked perfectly.  I think I went through over 80 rounds in the 30 minute "battle".  When I got back to camp to clean the Spencer I noticed that one of the two screws on the upper breech block was missing part of the screw head.  I always tighten these screws before I shoot the rifle but it seems that they always come loose and in this case one of them broke the head.  It was the rear screw that broke.  I did e-mail Chiappa Firearms concerning the broken screw and possible replacement.  I have never had any luck going through Taylor Arms to get anything.  I guess my question is has anybody else had the same problem with the screw.  Also are there any other parts that are prong to breaking?  I did use my Henry rifle on Sunday, I always bring a back-up gun when I go to events.  With the Henry I know what parts are prong to break and I have extra parts so I can fix it at an event.  I need to get a supply of spare parts for the Spencer.  Any thoughts?

[Two Flints]

Sean,

Email Phil at S&S Firearms ( ssfirearms@aol.com ) and ask them if his screws will work on the upper breech block of your Armi Sport 56-50.  He should know. 

His parts for Spencers can be seen here:  http://www.ssfirearms.com/images/2011%20Catalog/2011%20Catalog%20main%20gun%20parts.pdf  Scroll down to the Spencer section on pages 48-50.

Let me know what he suggests.

Two Flints

[Two Flints]

Sean,

Where are the two screws on the upper breech block located you're having trouble with?

Two Flints

[Sean Thornton]

http://chiappafirearms.com/sites/default/files/manuals/Exploded_view_Spencer.pdf

It is part number 60 on their exploded view.

[nactorman]

Hey Andrew,
  Definitely check out S&S Firearms. I have ordered several items from them for my Armi-sport Spencers. The items arrived quickly and worked as they should.
  Charles
  Nactorman

[Sean Thornton]

I just called S&S, bummer, they stated that they did not carried parts for the Armi Sport Spencer.

[PvtGreg]

Let me see if my romano upper block screws will work in my armi sport.

My thought is if they do then S&S's screws may work, although I bet AS's screws are metric.

I'll give it a try.

Pvt Greg

[major]

Sean
I have had a bunch of trouble with those two screws.  They are constantly backing out and the heads shear off.  I have replaced 5 or 6 of them over the years.  They aren't cheap either.  These screws retail for $5 each + shipping.  I tried Locktight but that didn't work.  I had two that the threads stripped and I replace them but now I think that the threads in the firing pin pusher have stripped and I am going to need to replace the part ($20).  I would love to know if anyone has found a cure for this problem.

[Sean Thornton]

Terry,
Where did you get the screws from or do you have any for sale?  So far I have gotten no answer from either Taylor Arms or Chiappa Firearms.

[major]

Sean
I have 3 of them in stock.  I am done reenacting for the year so if you want some or all of them you can have them for the $5 they cost. + shipping.  I can put them in a padded envelope and send them all for about $2 shipping.  Let me know if you want them.  I used my Spencer at a reenactment this last weekend and fired over 750 blanks.  What a rush!
Terry
t.schultz5@roadrunner.com

[Sean Thornton]

I now have both of the screws replaced and my Spencer is back operational.  Thank you Terry for the help.